A grizzly bear was euthanized Monday after confirmed cattle depredation on private land south of Ten Sleep. On April 14, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department investigated a report of an injured cow with wounds consistent with a grizzly bear depredation. Wildlife managers verified nearby tracks and signs that suggested the bear frequented the ranch for approximately one week. The subadult, male grizzly bear was euthanized after consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service due to its involvement in depredation and its behavior frequenting the ranch.

The location of the conflict was in the basin of the Bighorn Mountains and more than 80 miles from the eastern boundary of what is known as the Demographic Monitoring Area — the area considered biologically and socially suitable for grizzly bears. Grizzly bears have not been documented in this area south of the Bighorn Mountains since long before the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem population was listed under the Endangered Species Act in the 1970s.

“Wyoming’s grizzly bear population is managed and monitored where suitable habitat exists as designated by the USFWS and informed by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team,” said Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik. “The Bighorn Mountain Range is not suitable habitat and the department is not interested in allowing grizzly bears to occupy this area. Their expansion into unsuitable habitat leads to increased conflict potential between bears and humans, which impedes the success of grizzly bear conservation.”

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzly bears rests with the USFWS. Game and Fish handles nearly all grizzly bear conflicts and conducts significant levels of monitoring, research and public education in accordance with the department’s Grizzly Bear Management Plan.

In a continued effort for transparency and in accordance with Wyoming laws, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has released the public records requested by the public related to a recent law enforcement case involving an individual who was cited for illegally possessing a live wolf.

The department recognizes the importance of transparency and fostering public trust, especially during difficult times. The release of information regarding this case follows Wyoming State Statutes. The records released include the law enforcement case report of the violation and videos that initiated the investigation.

The individual was cited for a misdemeanor violation of Wyoming Game and Fish Commission regulations, Chapter 10, Importation and Possession of Live Warm-Blooded Wildlife.

This incident does not represent Wyoming and overshadows our state’s proven track record and dedication to the conservation of wildlife resources.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds the public to protect themselves and their pets by keeping a safe distance from wildlife, especially animals that may be behaving abnormally, such as those that appear overly aggressive and/or lacking a fear of humans.

The reminder comes after a gray fox, suspected of being rabid, bit three people in two separate attacks earlier this month at Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona. The animal was killed as it approached a park service officer. Another gray fox was located and killed last month after it bit a person in a picnic area on Mount Lemmon near Tucson. Read more

Birding in Michigan during spring migration is a big deal, with hundreds of species to search for, endless opportunities to catch sight of them and plenty of people who enjoy the chance to talk all things birds! Mark your calendar for two events coming up Thursday, April 18.

Birds & Brews in Marquette

If you’re up for a special evening of bird trivia, conversation about how public lands support birds and the chance to win a door prize – all while enjoying a complimentary (alcoholic or nonalcoholic) drink – join the Laughing Whitefish Bird Alliance and MI Birds at Birds & Brews, 7 p.m. at Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. in Marquette.

This is a family-friendly event, with coloring sheets and crayons provided. Door prizes include binoculars, a book on gardening for birds, and coffee and chocolate donated by local businesses. Registration is not required. We hope to see you there! (More than a hundred people attended the 2023 event, pictured above).

Woodcock Walk near Gladwin

If an outdoor adventure is more your speed, head to the Lame Duck Foot Access Area near Gladwin, one of the DNR’s Grouse Enhancement Management Sites, for a guided Woodcock Walk led by DNR staff and partners from the Ruffed Grouse Society. This GEMS location is one of the best places to view male American woodcock doing their quirky spring mating dance. Read more

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2023 bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs in March, revealed a record 364 bighorn sheep in the grasslands of western North Dakota, up 5% from 2022 and 16% above the five-year average. The count surpassed the previous record of 347 bighorns in 2022.

Altogether, biologists counted 106 rams, 202 ewes and 56 lambs. Not included are approximately 40 bighorn sheep in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and bighorns introduced to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in 2020.

Big game biologist Brett Wiedmann was pleased to see an increase in the survey for the sixth consecutive year.

The northern badlands population increased 5% from 2022 and was the highest count on record. The southern badlands population dropped to its lowest level since bighorns were reintroduced there in 1966. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Years ago, after attending an educational seminar on food plots for wildlife with speaker and farmer, Ed Spinazzola, I was excited to convert some neglected land into a deer magnet.  However, there was an area of approximately one acre of weak, sandy soil with a low pH (or high acidic value) that would need improvement to become productive.  After several years of battling noxious weeds amid the low-quality soil, I conceded the effort and expense to build up the parcel was futile and gave up on the notion.  Fortunately for the Monarch butterflies, I had inadvertently stumbled onto a means to help save the interesting species by allowing one particular indigenous plant to flourish:  milkweed.

This perennial plant is toxic to some wildlife, but is life-sustaining to monarch butterflies.  In early spring, the monarch’s eggs are laid exclusively on these plants and hatch into caterpillars which feed on the plant.  Two weeks later, caterpillars attach themselves to leaves or stems of milkweed plants and so begins the transformation to the unique butterfly.  Our farmers don’t want to see the plant among their alfalfa fields, because of its poisonous nature; however, I can’t help but smile as I witness Mother Nature’s hand each year in what has become a fragrant haven to the butterflies and other pollinators.

Oddly enough, Michigan House Bill 4857 was signed into law last month, aiming to protect milkweed (explicitly excluded in the bill), while targeting many other noxious weeds for eradication in the state.  Here’s the language of the enrolled bill:  An act to amend 1941 PA 359, entitled “An act for controlling and eradicating certain noxious weeds within the state; to permit townships, villages, and cities to have a lien for expenses incurred in controlling and eradicating such weeds; to permit officials of counties and municipalities to appoint commissioners of noxious weeds; to define the powers, duties, and compensation of commissioners; to provide for sanctions; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 2 (MCL 247.62), as amended by 2010 PA 358.

I don’t know that growing government to the point of creating commissioners of noxious weeds will have any measurable effect on the butterfly population but I am committed to allowing nature to take its course in the matter.  Although the migrating monarch is dependent on milkweed for survival, I find the milkweed valuable for another important reason:  When the aromatic flowers fade, seed pods form and contain silk or floss, which can be used as natural wind indicators for wise hunters.

I merely wrap tape around the pods and wait for them to dry out and carry them afield when deer hunting.  The seeds are easily stripped from the floss, if one is concerned about establishing milkweed elsewhere. The feathery floss can be viewed for a hundred yards or more and provides a visible indication of wind direction and currents well beyond one’s hunting stand.

Best of all, Mother Nature provides this hunting aid free of charge, and it is better than any store-bought gimmicks that only give arms-length feedback.  With this valuable information, a hunter can determine where scent will intersect with a deer’s nose before it actually happens.

For entrepreneurs of any age (hint for kids), the seeds can be marketed on sites such as Ebay for substantial amounts with virtually no overhead expenses.  Who knows if aspiring youngsters may not become commissioners of weeds someday?

Gear up and enjoy the outdoors in the new Realtree Regatta canvas tent by White Duck Outdoors. Decorated in Realtree EDGE camo, this canvas tent is designed for durability, comfort and concealment for the camper, glamper or hunter.

White Duck Outdoors Tents are designed for easy setup and quick use, so getting outside and enjoying time in nature doesn’t have to be limited to the most experienced campers our outdoors enthusiasts.

The Regatta Realtree EDGE camo tent features DYNADUCK fabric, with 8.5-ounce army duck cotton canvas and a water-repellent, mold- and UV-resistant finish to offer years of reliable outdoor use in a variety of conditions. Read more